Testimonials

 ~ Frank Benest, Senior Advisor for Next Generation Initiatives, International City-County Management Association

“It was about 20 years ago that big corporations finally broke the promise with employees of long-term job security. Since then organizations have used terminations and reductions-in-force as a first resort for expense control, and that is why we have all become ‘free agents.’ Throughout the past two decades, there have been many books on the topic of self-promotion and even more guides on how to navigate the job market. What has been missing until Don Maruska and Jay Perry’s new book, ‘Take Charge of Your Talent,’ is a practical approach to develop your talent to provide enhanced opportunity as well as greater satisfaction and fulfillment.

“Organizations will also benefit from this well-written, step-by-step approach to focus on their talent pool and prepare the next generation of managers and leaders to fill in behind the large numbers of people who are retiring or seeking new career opportunities. Embracing Don and Jay’s approach solves the problem of transmitting the knowledge and skills of outgoing employees to their future replacements, rather than losing the knowledge base and experience that typically disappears when a key employee leaves or retires. Providing this support to underutilized employees who seek new and more responsibility may help fill the void of loyalty lost when organizations stopped offering the assurance of long-term employment. 

“In the new era of free agents, this book provides exactly what both individuals and organizations are looking for. Don and Jay have delivered a proven and easy to understand process for the development of an organization’s most precious resource, its talent pool. In so doing, they inspire more job satisfaction and greater career fulfillment.”

~ John Steinhart, Silicon Valley HR expert and former Director of Stanford Business School’s Sloan Executive Program

“Maruska and Perry’s book shows us how we can harness our talents in ways that expand our horizons, ramp up our ability to bring out our best, and energize those around us in the same way. Their proven approach leads us to interact with others to open up worlds of possibility. This book provides a distinctive, brilliant structure. If you add your passion and discipline, you can’t imagine what you and your team, organization, family, and community will achieve. Indispensable.”

~ Michael Ray, author of Creativity in Business and professor emeritus, Stanford Business School

Advance praise from additional leaders in the field:

 “This practical volume, filled with detailed coaching and useful exercises, reflects the extensive experience of the authors in coaching executives. This book will help you clarify, enhance, and finds ways to apply your talents.” 

~ Jim Clawson, Johnson & Higgins Professor of Business Administration, The Darden School, University of Virginia

“The heart of this book is a profound but easy to learn approach to becoming a ‘generous listener.’ Using the transformational power of this mindful practice, Maruska and Perry expertly guide the reader in a step-by-step process for recognizing, catalyzing, and optimizing talent. As you learn to take charge of your own talent, you will also develop the ability to help others discover and express their gifts. Highly recommended.” 

–Michael J. Gelb, author of How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci and Brain Power: Improve Your Mind as You Age

“This wonderfully practical and inspiring book is based on a belief I cherish: that all humans are creative and have talent. I’m delighted that Maruska and Perry provide the tools for this to become self-evident to more and more people.”

~ Margaret J. Wheatley, author, Leadership and the New Science and other books.

“This inspiring book will teach you how to unlock your gifts and release your power and potential.”

~ Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Great Leaders Grow